Beginning a Basic Pranayama Practice

Pranayama will be incorporated into all the asana in hatha yoga. At the beginning of class or at the close, most hatha yoga teachers do some pranayama exercises unrelated to the asana.

Because the prana (energy) must extend through your entire body, it is best to sit with your spine erect. Your neck and head should be in a straight line, but not rigid. The classic beginning sitting pose for pranayama and meditation is the Easy Pose, or Sukhasana. (Sukha means “comfortable” or “joy.”)

It stretches and straightens the spine, which is the fundamental conductor in pranayama, and focuses the mind.